Challenging encounters under fire, online
Jeb Haught
Copley News Service
Game: "Enemy Territory: Quake Wars"
Publisher: Activision
System: Windows XP/Vista
Cost: $50
ESRB rating: T
Review rating: 3 1/2 stars
In this age of sophisticated online games, players are no longer content to merely eliminate as many enemies as possible. Today's dedicated gamers want variety as well as a reason to slay the enemy. Activision addresses these concerns with the release of the online-only, futuristic shooter, "Enemy Territory: Quake Wars."
Some people think that only having one mode in an online-only game is too limiting, but each map requires a different sequence of events to be completed. For example, players must blow up a stolen Strogg "slipgate" on Area 22, but the only way for the EDF (Earth Defense Force) to beat "Valley" is to hack into a Strogg shield generator.
Depending on which class the player chooses, missions will pop up onscreen that help the team achieve their objectives. Some instruct you to repair vehicles, while others suggest taking a certain spawn point. Completing these missions isn't necessary, but the system is a great way to guide players of all types in the right direction.
Due to the requirement of completing objectives in order, lone wolves trying to sneak behind enemy lines are completely worthless. Another effect of creating "front lines" is a natural ebb and flow that resembles real-life warfare. Defending teams embed themselves in their surroundings, while attacking teams must overpower them with superior strategy and firepower.
Thanks to the gorgeous visuals and intricate level design, "Enemy Territory: Quake Wars" is a much-needed evolutionary step for the first-person-shooter genre.
Game: "Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker"
Publisher: Square Enix
System: Nintendo DS
Cost: $40
ESRB rating: E
Review rating: 3 stars
The Pokemon series is in for one heck of a battle now that "Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker" has been released on the DS. While the core game play of both titles is comparable, recruiting monsters for battle is more fun in "DQM: J," and the adventuring and battle features are more complex. But most important of all, the nauseatingly adorable Pikachu is nowhere to be found!
Players take on the role of a budding young monster trainer that undertakes a secret mission for his father, who is the leader of a covert organization. In order to complete the mission, the player must explore seven diverse islands to find and train a wide variety of monsters that each sport different offensive and defensive abilities. If that isn't enough, these creatures can even breed to create completely unique monsters with their parent's abilities.
Gone are the random battle encounters of past versions, now replaced with enemies that can be seen and even dodged. However, battles are still turn-based, and the player can choose between selecting each monster action individually or choosing an overall tactic (such as focusing on healing), and letting the computer select each move.
Players must use the directional pad for character movement since the DS lacks an analog stick. This can be frustrating because analog controls allow for multiple stages of movement (i.e. fast, slow), while digital controls only have one setting. I would also like the touch screen function to offer more options than map manipulation.
Fortunately, most players will ignore these minor flaws when they delve into the deep, rich fantasy world of "Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker."
RATING KEY
4 stars - Must have
3 stars - Pretty good
2 stars - So-so
1 star - Don't waste your time
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Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
E: Everyone
T: Teen (13 and older)
E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)
M: Mature (17 and older)
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